We both retired in May of 2006. For the first 6 years we were avid RV'ers and addicted to the game of Pickleball. In September of 2013 we sold the RV and bought a house on the canal to Lake June in Lake Placid, FL where we continue to meet new people and make new friends. Fishing is our favorite past-time now. THANK YOU to our families and friends, old and new, for making our retirement the best chapter in our life so far.

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Not a whole lot going on since we celebrated Rich's birthday, back on the 17th. Lots of phone calls, e-mails and face book posts sending him happy birthday wishes.

Rich went out and harvested the last of the pineapples a few days ago. This has to be one of the biggest we've grown in the last few years. Will let it ripen a few more days inside.

Neighbors were here on Sunday and brought us a couple dozen freshly picked oranges! So, yesterday Rich cut and "hand" squeezed all of them to make some fresh orange juice! Sooooo Good! Then while out doing some palm tree trimming he picked me some fresh flowers from the firecracker bush! They look great!!

Today we celebrated our 43rd wedding anniversary............... Yes, this was Rich and I that long ago!

And tonight we went into Sebring for dinner at Red Lobster. Food was excellent. It's Lobsterfest!!!! And tonight was the FIRST time that Rich has EVER had Lobster. He had the two lobster tails, with Linguine/with lobster and shrimp Alfredo, and green beans with mushrooms. I had the two lobster tails with shrimp scampi and fried shrimp. We had an awesome waiter, very friendly, excellent service and he brought us a great dessert (brownie with ice cream and hot fudge...........on a tray that had 43rd.... Happy Anniversary written in chocolate! This was also the very first time EVER that our bill ( after adding the tip) was OVER $100 for dinner! But the food, the service, the atmosphere was perfect!

One more birthday coming up on Saturday..............and that should be the end of the February excitement!

Friday, February 17, 2017

Today Rich celebrated his 68th Birthday!!!!
While it was a work day for him.......he took time to read tons of birthday messages from his face book friends......neighbors, read birthday cards from family, answer birthday calls from family and friends and open his present from me!

I'm always the sentimental one - so I had to share my thoughts along with some of our favorite pictures that bring back good memories...

No fancy birthday gifts - just a couple of work t-shirts for around the house or at the lake, and a Fish Lip Gripper.........which he's been saying he wanted to get!!! We shared a banana smoothie this afternoon - and he asked for sloppy joes and potato salad for dinner! And of course it was a Birthday Cake for dessert!

And look at my Valentine roses..........they are even more beautiful three days later........

Not sure what the plans are for the weekend. We still have not picked up the fans or the light for the dining room.....and he was pricing new screens for the sliders in the sun room today. Talked about going to Verizon to check out a phone, and change the service on our MiFi............ We need a new mat for his desk chair.......... but you know us - we're never in a big hurry! It will all get done at some point................

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Well hopefully the doctor visits are over. Today Rich went for the sonogram of his carotid arteries, and that's the last scheduled visit for both of us. Unfortunately between Rich being sick, and Buddy and Diane both coming down with the bug - we missed our Legends Tribute to the Stars that was scheduled for last week. We heard from those who attended that it was an excellent show!! Oh well.
In the meantime, I continue to make Rich is goodies! This past week was No Bake Cookies, and Banana Nut Muffins, along with a couple of Chocolate Cream filled donuts from Dunkin!

Saturday the 13th was our grandson's birthday. Nineteen years old............the last of the "teens"!

And of course today is Valentine's Day........ Love the Roses! And thank you Rich for remembering I don't like RED!!! They are
beautiful, but the hand made paper heart was extra special!!! Cupid did not forget Rich...........of course ..............more chocolate and peanut butter goodies!

We had made plans for dinner tonight at the Golden Corral with Buddy and Diane last week, not even thinking at the time, that it would be Valentine's Day! We were there early, about 4:20, and by 4:30 there was a line almost back to the door. Special tonight was prime rib, shrimp and scallops! Very good! And believe it or not..... I forgot all about snapping a picture!

Saturday, February 11, 2017

Can't believe how fast time flies!! It's been more than a week, and not a whole lot going on.

Medical update: Rich has had 2 more sessions with the chiropractor, the last one one about three days ago, at which time he was released! His back has not bothered him at all. However, he has not been able to keep up with the daily stretching/exercising.

Last Saturday he awoke in the morning, turned over in bed and had a terrible spell, room spinning, eyes spinning, very sick to his stomach. Spells continued, although not as bad so he saw the doctor on Monday, who confirmed what we thought - that it was the same that I had last year; vertigo. Went to Cora Rehab just one time for therapy and has not had a problem since. Has to take it easy for a few days (until Sunday), when he can resume exercises, and if no problem on Monday he can cancel his appt. on Tuesday. Good so far!

We did make a trip into Sebring, back to Alan J GMC, traded in our Camry and came home with a 2017 Terrain. I don't LOVE it...but I guess it will give us a lot more packing room when we travel Spring/Summer. Between the trade in for the Camry, the dealer incentives, the free hitch and installation, and the earnings from our GM master card we were able to reduce the price by almost $14,000!

Rich was out back a couple of times, and today he used up the last to minnows in the bucket! Just a couple small bass. The Blue Heron stole one of his minnows right off his line in the water, but did get a small 14 inch bass with the last one. . The Blue Heron was parked right there on the dock most of the time he was fishing.........so Rich threw him the fish! WOW - Could not believe he actually swallowed it whole!

Friday, February 3, 2017

The weather the last few days has been beautiful. Nice sunshine, but low humidity. And a couple of those days it was nice enough to have the windows and doors open! Our neighbors Al and Barb, sold their house and our new neighbors (have not met them yet - they are gospel singers and travel a lot) they have moved in.

Rich has been back to the Chiropractor for his third manipulation and massage therapy session. Started out with some light stretching exercises, and now he's supposed to do "crunches" each day to strengthen his core. He's not having any more pain in the hips or legs..........and really starting to feel a lot better. So Glad.

We both had our follow-up visits with the doctor, after having our blood work done.............and we got a perfect bill of health! All the results were "perfect", according to Dr. Shechtman!

Rich has taken advantage of the nice days. We've been planning early dinner, so that he can head down to the dock by about 4:30 and fish till dark. I go down and join him, after the dishes are done, just to sit and watch and talk... Not a whole lot of luck, a small 14 " large mouth bass and a couple of dogfish! And a nightly visit by the beautiful Blue Heron.

I tried a new recipe the other day, Buckeye Brownie Cookies! You use a brownie mix, add melted butter, cream cheese, and an egg. Mix, make into a ball, thumb hole in the middle. Then cream cheese and peanut butter, mix and roll into ball. Place in the brownie hole and flatten a little. Bake and cool, then ice with chocolate icing. I had ONE - and they are very very good! Rich took a 1/2 dozen over to the guys across the road. And, of course, Rich makes a meal of them.........adding a heaping mound of whip cream!

Cleaned and vacuumed, shampooed the rugs, emptied the trunk and all compartments etc. inside of the car today. Good chance we'll trade it in before the weekend's over.

Tomorrow is an early dinner with Buddy and Diane and then the four of us are going over to the Genesis Center, here in Lake Placid for "The Legends Tribute to the Stars". Music from the 50's, 60's, and 70's! Should be a fun night!